Bird Excreta Research Articles

Development and Validation of a Protocol to Determine Feed Spillage From Commercial Broiler Feeders

HighlightsA protocol was developed to determine feed spillage from broiler pan feeders at different bird ages and feed forms.Two validation studies (14 and 42 d) showed that excreta and wood shavings can be accounted for in live bird trials.This protocol could be used in commercial broiler houses with only an internal screen and recover feed spillage >90%.Abstract. Feed constitutes between 70% and 80% of total costs in commercial poultry production. As of today, it is unknown how much feed is spilled by broilers during a production flock. The objective of this project was to develop and validate a protocol to determine feed spillage from commercial broiler feeder pans. A 69 × 69 cm feed spillage capture unit consisted of a perforated top platform, internal secondary screen, and a bottom pan lined with plastic sheeting. Two experiments were conducted to simulate feed spillage rates (1%, 5%, and 10%) of broilers at 14 and 42 d of age. Feed spillage rates were applied to capture units using two internal screen approaches [no screen (NS) and secondary screen (SS)] and two corrections using an indigestible feed marker [non-corrected vs. TiO2-corrected] in a factorial arrangement. A total of 24 capture units were used to estimate recovery rates of fixed amounts of feed, wood shavings, and stone-ground mustard (as a substitute for bird excreta). Data were analyzed as a two-way ANOVA to determine interactions and main effects of screen and TiO2 correction on recovery rates. The use of a secondary screen in the capture unit aided in preventing wood shavings and simulated excreta from reaching the bottom pan. The use of TiO2 combined with the use of SS aided in segregating feed from wood shavings and simulated excreta, resulting in the best approach to determine feed spillage. When collecting feed spillage in the bottom pan using a SS followed by TiO2 correction for young birds (14 d) using crumbled feed, the percent error was within 8%, 13%, and 16% for the 1%, 5%, and 10% feed spillage rates, respectively. The larger errors for the 5% and 10% spillage rates resulted from some feed being caught by excessive wood shavings on the SS. When collecting feed spillage in the bottom pan using a SS and TiO2 correction for older birds (42 d) using pelleted feed, the percent error was within 3%, 4%, and 3% for the 1%, 5%, and 10% feed spillage rates, respectively. The proposed method can be used to accurately capture feed spillage at different broiler ages using different feed forms and to compare different commercial broiler feeders. Keywords: Broiler, Feed form, Feed spillage, Feeder.

Live black soldier fly larvae as environmental enrichment for native chickens: implications for bird performance, welfare, and excreta microbiota

Dietary live insect larvae were recently proposed for use in laying hens and broiler−intensive chicken farming as an innovative form of environmental enrichment, but their use in native dual-purpose chickens has never been investigated. This study aims to evaluate the effects of live black soldier fly (BSF) larvae as environmental enrichment in two autochthonous dual-purpose chicken breeds, namely Bionda Piemontese (BP) and Bianca di Saluzzo (BS), in terms of bird performance, behaviour, integument status, excreta corticosterone metabolites (ECMs), and microbiota analyses. A total of 90 BP and 90 BS hens aged 308 days old were randomly distributed between two treatment groups (three replicates/group/breed, 15 hens/replicate). For the following 90 days, the control group (C) was fed a commercial feed only, whereas the BSF group was fed the commercial diet plus BSF live larvae calculated at 6% of the expected daily feed intake (DFI). Larva ingestion time, bird performance, integument scores, and behavioural observations were assessed at regular intervals, and excreta samples were collected to evaluate ECM and microbiota. The larva ingestion time became faster over the course of the experimental trial (P < 0.001). The DFI of BSF-fed hens was lower than that of C hens independently of breed (P < 0.001), whereas only in the BS hens, the live weight of the BSF-fed group was greater than that of the C group (P < 0.01). The BSF-fed BP hens showed a higher laying rate and feed conversion ratio compared with BSF-BS (P < 0.05). Better total integument scores were observed in BSF-fed BP hens compared with C-birds (P < 0.05). The BSF-fed hens displayed higher frequencies of preening, trotting, and wing flapping than C, as well as a lower incidence of severe feather pecking (P < 0.05). An increase in allopreening was only identified in BSF-fed BS hens with respect to the C hens (P < 0.001). No differences in ECM and faecal microbiota were observed between treatment groups. In conclusion, the administration of BSF live larvae as environmental enrichment has the potential to positively influence the welfare of both BP and BS chickens, by enhancing the frequency of positive behaviours whilst reducing severe feather pecking, without affecting their excreta microbiota. BSF larva administration also has the potential to improve the productive performance and the plumage status of the BP breed.

Industrial egg residue as a calcium source in broiler feed: digestibility and growth performance.

Industrial egg residue (IER) possesses substantial concentrations of calcium and crude protein. The objective of this study was to measure the digestibility and performance of broilers when IER was added to the feed. Four treatments were tested, which caused increasing replacement of calcitic limestone by IER (0, 35, 70 and 100%) during a 42-day production cycle. First, total bird excreta were collected from broilers with and without IER, and we determined dry matter digestibility, apparent metabolizable energy (AME), calcium, and nitrogen retention. The IER presented 7.5% of crude protein, 31% of calcium, 209 kcal/kg of AME and the digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein, and calcium were calculated at 83.95%, 86.20%, and 67%, respectively. After the digestibility test, the effects of IER on performance, carcass and meat yield were evaluated. No significant differences between the treatments were found in terms of performance (weight gain, feed conversion, consumption, and mortality), and no differences were found in terms of carcass or meat yield. A linear decrease in the percentage of abdominal fat was observed with increasing inclusion of IER in feed. These findings suggest that IER can totally replace limestone (calcium carbonate) in broiler diets.

A review of avian mycobacteriosis: An emerging bacterial disease of public health concern

Avian mycobacteriosis is a chronic debilitating disease of birds which poses a public health threat. In avian species, the disease is primarily caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies avium. Nearly all bird species are susceptible to this infection, with older birds being more susceptible than younger ones. Ingestion of feed and water contaminated by the excreta of infected or chronic carrier birds is the main route of Mycobacterium infection and transmission; however, the respiratory route is also possible. Migratory wild or free-living birds play an important role in mycobacteriosis transmission, and affected birds show severe depletion, emaciation, anemia, diarrhea, and respiratory manifestations. The appearance of characteristic tuberculous nodules in the digestive system, especially in the intestine, liver, and spleen, is pathognomonic. Confirmation of Mycobacterium infection can be achieved through isolation on specifically selected media, direct smear for detection of characteristic acid-fast bacilli, and detection of the bacterium using molecular diagnostic methods. Serological and allergic tests can also be applied. Different species of Mycobacterium, especially M. avium, have public health significance and can be transmitted from birds to humans. Such zoonosis is especially dangerous in human immunocompromised patients. Authorities and governments have implemented strict and comprehensive eradication programs for avian mycobacteriosis. These biosecurity measures, including surveillance monitoring programs and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, are essential for the prevention and treatment of Mycobacterium infection in poultry production systems. This review was designed to focus on avian mycobacteriosis in birds and humans.

Welfare implications for broiler chickens reared in an insect larvae-enriched environment: Focus on bird behaviour, plumage status, leg health, and excreta corticosterone.

The use of insect live larvae as environmental enrichment has recently been proposed in broiler chickens, but the concomitant administration of black soldier fly (BSF) and yellow mealworm (YM) has never been tested yet. Therefore, the present study aims to evaluate the effects of live BSF and YM larvae as environmental enrichments for broiler chickens by means of plumage status, behaviour, leg health, and excreta corticosterone metabolites (CM). A total of 180 4-day old male Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly distributed in 3 experimental treatments (6 replicates/treatment, 10 birds/replicate) and fed for 35 days as follows: 1) control (C, commercial feed), 2) BSF: C + 5% of the expected daily feed intake [DFI] live BSF larvae and 3) YM: C + 5% of the expected DFI live YM larvae. Feathering, hock burn (HB) and footpad dermatitis (FPD) scores (end of the trial), as well as behavioural observations (beginning of the trial [T0] and every 11 days [T1, T2 and T3] during morning, larvae intake and afternoon) through video recordings, were assessed, and excreta samples collected to evaluate the CM. Feathering, HB and FPD scores, and excreta CM were unaffected by insect live larvae administration (p > 0.05). In the morning, the insect-fed birds displayed higher stretching, wing flapping, ground pecking (at T1 and T3), as well as lower preening (at T1 and T2), than the C group (p < 0.05). During the larvae intake, higher scratching, wing flapping and ground pecking, as well as lower stretching, preening and laying down, were observed in the insect-fed (scratching, stretching and laying down) or YM-fed (wing flapping, ground pecking and preening) groups than the C birds (p < 0.05). In the afternoon, insect live larvae administration increased wing flapping (YM) and laying down (BSF and YM), as well as decreased ground pecking (YM, p < 0.05). In conclusion, the administration of insect live larvae as environmental enrichment (especially YM) was capable of positively influencing the bird welfare through the stimulation of foraging behaviour, increase in activity levels, and reduction in bird frustration, without affecting the plumage status, leg health, and excreta CM.

Interaction between live vaccines for coccidiosis and phytogenic compounds in the diet of broilers.

This study aimed to determine whether live vaccines alone or associated with phytogenic compounds supplied via feed could improve performance, intestinal health, serum biochemistry, and coccidiostatic action in broilers up to 42days of age, challenged with Eimeria spp., compared with a traditional anticoccidial program. We used 800 birds divided into five treatments of eight repetitions each (n=20): NC - Negative control (absence of additives in the feed and without coccidian challenge); PC - Positive control (absence of additives and with coccidian challenge at 21days); AAP - Anticoccidial additives program, including salinomycin and nicarbazine, with coccidian challenge at 21days of life; VAC - Vaccination on day 1 of life (Hipracox HIPRA®) against coccidiosis and subsequent coccidian challenge at 21days; VAC+BPC - Vaccination (day 1 of life), the addition of 200ppm of blend phytogenic compound (BPC) based on carvacrol and cinnamaldehyde to the diet, with coccidian challenge at 21days of life. The birds in the AAP group more significant weight gain and greater body weight at 21days than the NC and 42days of age than the NC and VAC+BPC groups. The excretion of Eimeria oocysts in the excreta of birds was higher in PC than in NC, and in the litter, PC had higher counts than NC, AAP, and VAC+BPC. A higher mean score of intestinal lesions for Eimeria acervulina was observed in VAC and VAC+BPC birds, while for Eimeria maxima, the highest score was found in PC. Higher serum levels of total protein due to the increase in globulins were observed in birds of AAP and VAC than NC. Our findings suggest that vaccination for coccidiosis shortly after the birth of chicks allows performance similar to the conventional coccidiosis control program via diet.

Floral and Bird Excreta Semiochemicals Attract Western Carpenter Ants

Ant colonies have vast and diverse nutritional needs but forager ants have limited mobility to meet these needs. Forager ants would accrue significant energy savings if they were able to sense and orient toward odor plumes of both carbohydrate and protein food sources. Moreover, if worker ants, like other flightless insects, had reduced olfactory acuity, they would not recognize the specific odor signatures of diverse carbohydrate and protein sources, but they may be able to orient toward those odorants that are shared between (macronutrient) food sources. Using the Western carpenter ant, Camponotus modoc, as a model species, we tested the hypotheses that (1) food sources rich in carbohydrates (aphid honeydew, floral nectar) and rich in proteins (bird excreta, house mouse carrion, cow liver infested or not with fly maggots) all prompt long-distance, anemotactic attraction of worker ants, and (2) attraction of ants to plant inflorescences (fireweed, Chamaenerion angustifolium; thimbleberry, Rubus parviflorus; and hardhack, Spiraea douglasii) is mediated by shared floral odorants. In moving-air Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, ants were attracted to two of four carbohydrate sources (thimbleberry and fireweed), and one of four protein sources (bird excreta). Headspace volatiles of these three attractive sources were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and synthetic odor blends of thimbleberry (7 components), fireweed (23 components), and bird excreta (38 components) were prepared. In Y-tube olfactometer bioassays, synthetic blends of thimbleberry and fireweed but not of bird excreta attracted ants, indicating that only the two floral blends contained all essential attractants. A blend of components shared between thimbleberry and fireweed was not attractive to ants. Our data support the conclusion that C. modoc worker ants can sense and orient toward both carbohydrate and protein food sources. As ants were selective in their responses to carbohydrate and protein resources, it seems that they can discern between specific food odor profiles and that they have good, rather than poor, olfactory acuity.

Increased Serum SP-D Level, Neutrophils and Lymphocytes Sputum in Malang Splendid Bird Market Workers

Background: Workers in the bird market have a high risk of exposure in the form of air pollution, pollutant particles including debris / organic dust, loose feathers, insects/ticks, aerosol particles in food, bird excreta (ammonia), various kinds of gram bacteria, fungi and virus. Exposure to particles will stimulate the immune system against harmful pathogens in the form of inflammatory response. An infection or injury will stimulate the secretion of Surfactant protein-D (SP-D) which is a group of collectin (collagen-lectin) with subgroups of the C-type lectin superfamily, together with bovine coglutinin, mannose-binding lectin (MBL), and CL43 protein. This aim of this study was to determine serum SP-D and neutrophil and sputum lymphocyte levels in workers at splendid bird market.Methods: A cross sectional analytic observational study on 35 subjects, analyzed the characteristics of the workers, calculated neutrophil types, lymphocytes on induced sputum and serum SP-D levels using sandwich ELISA.Results: Mean SP-D serum levels in workers in the bird market environment increased (mean SD: 81.39 + 47.656 ng/ml) from normal levels (60 ± 3 ng/ml). There was a significant positive correlation between length of exposure and serum SP-D levels (r: 0.693; p &lt;0.001). There was an average increase in the percentage of neutrophils and sputum lymphocytes (90.71% + 4.04% and 9.17% + 4.42%) compared to normal limit (50.3% + 23.5% and 2.6% + 5.2%).Conclusion: Inhalation exposure in the Bird Market environment can cause an increase in the percentage of neutrophils, sputum lymphocytes and serum SP-D levels in workers that indicate an airway inflammation process, as well as an alleged increase in alveolar wall permeability, damage and regeneration of alveolar epithelial cell type II cells (AEC type II).

Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis in HIV-positive patients.

Histoplasmosis is the most common endemic mycosis among people living with advanced HIV infection. Describe general aspects and challenges of this disease and its association with HIV. Review of literature. Articles found using different combinations of terms including "disseminated histoplasmosis" and AIDS/HIV or immunosuppression in PubMed, Scopus, WHO Global health library, and Scielo database. We look for information on epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of histoplasmosis in AIDS patients. Histoplasmosis is caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, a dimorphic fungus encountered throughout the world, mainly in soil enriched with bat and bird excreta. Progressive disseminated histoplasmosis is the main presentation of this mycosis in people living with advanced HIV and is fatal if left untreated. Symptoms include a systemic disease characterized by fever, weight loss, night sweats, skin manifestations, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and septic shock. Diagnostic tests include culture, visualization of H. capsulatum by direct and histopathological examination, serology, antigen, molecular, and skin testing. Patients with disseminated disease require aggressive and prolonged treatment to eradicate the pathogen and include amphotericin B and itraconazole. In many low income countries of endemic regions, histoplasmosis in HIV-positive patients is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed as another opportunistic infection, due to the similarity in clinical manifestations and to the paucity of better diagnostic tests. Histoplasmosis remains a neglected disease. Few studies about the disease and expensive treatments make it difficult to reduce the morbidity and mortality of this condition. Public health services and physicians must be aware of histoplasmosis' burden among the HIV-positive population.

Comparison between Two Molecular Techniques: Nested and Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Targeting 100-kDa Hc Protein for Detection of Histoplasma capsulatum in Environmental Samples.

ABSTRACT.Histoplasmosis, one of the most frequent endemic mycoses in the Americas, is caused by the inhalation of airborne conidia of Histoplasma capsulatum. Better understanding of the distribution of this fungus in the environment is important for the development of appropriate public health measures to prevent human infections. Previously, we used Hc100 nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify H. capsulatum DNA in 10% of environmental samples in Colombia. Here, we validate a 100-kDa real-time PCR assay for the detection of this fungus in the environment. Using this method, we identified H. capsulatum DNA in 80% of samples of raw organic materials, such as chicken manure, soil from caves, and bird and bat guano, as well as in 62% of samples of organic fertilizer that underwent the composting process. We demonstrated that 100-KDa real-time PCR is a useful tool for environmental surveillance that can be used to identify the potential reservoirs of H. capsulatum and to prevent outbreaks, especially in people with the higher risk of exposure, such as spelunkers, farmers, poultry manure collectors, and anyone who handle organic fertilizers or bat and bird excreta.

Cryptococcus neoformans and Other Opportunistic Cryptococcus Species in Pigeon Dropping in Saudi Arabia: Identification and Characterization by DNA Sequencing.

The prevalent variants of Cryptococcus neoformans, and other Cryptococcus species in pigeon excreta in Western Region of Saudi Arabia were studied. Ninety pigeon dropping samples were plated directly on Niger seed agar, and suspected colonies were sequenced using Illumina MiSeq. Species identification was determined using sequence read mapping to reference genomes of the two C. neoformans variants. In addition, sequence reads were identified using the KmerFinder tool. internal transcribed spacer 2 in the rDNA was also used for fungal barcoding of none of the C. neoformans species using two fungal identification databases. Phylogeny was studied using CSI Phylogeny (Center for Genomic Epidemiology, Denmark). The C. neoformans var. grubii mitochondrion and chromosome 1 reference sequences (accession numbers NC_004336.1 and CP022321.1, respectively) were used for sequence comparison and variant calling. Fifteen Cryptococcus isolates were isolated, 11 were identified as C. neoformans var. grubii, and 4 were found to be other opportunistic Cryptococcus species. Phylogeny analysis of C. neoformans var. grubii isolates showed a high degree of similarity between the C. neoformans isolates especially at the mitochondrial genome level. This study supports the fact that pathogenic and opportunistic Cryptococcus species are prevalent in domestic bird excreta which is an easy source of infection in the susceptible population.

Integrated poultry-fish farming system encourages multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria dissemination in pond environment and fishes

A poultry-fish farming system provides an opportunity for farmers to feed fishes on a low monetary cost level by utilising poultry droppings. Wastes from poultry, majorly bird excreta, which may contain pathogenic or antibiotic-resistant bacteria, are usually released into ponds to feed fishes. This study focused on the physicochemical analysis of pond water samples and determination of antibiotic resistance pattern of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria isolated from poultry droppings, pond water, and fishes collected from two integrated poultry-fish farms in Osun State, Nigeria. Physicochemical analysis of the pond water samples from the farms revealed higher levels of turbidity (farm A = 580.78 ± 297.7 NTU and farm B = 1162.25 ± 19.23 NTU), total dissolved solids (farm A = 391.9 ± 36.47 mg/L and farm B = 803.65 ± 61.26 mg/L), biochemical oxygen demand (farm A = 23.73 ± 1.24 mg/L and farm B = 28.86 ± 0.94 mg/L), chemical oxygen demand (farm A = 35.59 ± 1.86 mg/L and farm B = 43.29 ± 1.46 mg/L), phosphate (farm A = 3.638 ± 0.25 mg/L and farm B = 3.54 ± 0.26 mg/L), iron (farm A = 2.64 ± 0.42 mg/L and farm B = 9.11 ± 3.48 mg/L), and manganese (farm A = 0.43 ± 0.04 and farm B = 0.66 ± 0.21 mg/L) compared to the permissible limits. Out of eighty Gram-negative bacteria isolated, 55 (68.75%) exhibited MDR phenotypes. These include 32 (58.2%) and 15 (27.3%) bacteria isolated on both farms from poultry dropping and fish samples, respectively. Meanwhile, 8 (14.5%) bacteria were isolated from water samples collected from farm B only. The multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index on both farms ranged from 0.37 to 1.00. Microbact™ 24E identified the MDR bacteria as members of the genera Aeromonas (21.82%), Burkholderia (16.36%), Pseudomonas (14.55%), Enterobacter (10.91%), Acinetobacter (9.09%), Moraxella (5.45%), Serratia (5.45%), Escherichia (5.45%), Proteus (3.64%), Citrobacter (1.82%), Stenotrophomonas (1.82%), Hafnia (1.82%) and Cronobacter (1.82%). Five of all the MDR bacterial isolates, which include Enterobacter agglomerans (n = 2), Burkholderia pseudomallei (n = 2), and Aeromonas hydrophilia (n = 1), were resistant to all the antibiotics tested. Meanwhile, four bacterial isolates, which include Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 2), Serratia marcescens (n = 1), and Citrobacter youngae (n = 1), were resistant to all classes of antibiotics tested. Strains of E. agglomerans, B. pseudomallei, and Aeromonas hydrophilia isolated from poultry droppings and fishes have the same antibiotype patterns. This shows the interaction between poultry and pond environments relating to the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains from poultry droppings to fish. The outcome of the study provides baseline information for future studies to understand the possible impact of integrated poultry-fish farming in matters of public health concerns such as food safety, dissemination of pathogens, and antibiotic resistance.

Novel Nano-Filled Coatings for the Protection of Built Heritage Stone Surfaces

An experimental nano-filled coating, based on a fluorine resin containing SiO2 nano-particles, was applied on calcareous stones, representative of materials used in buildings and monuments of the Mediterranean basin; for comparison purposes, two commercial products were applied on the same substrates. The efficacy of the protective treatments was assessed by analyzing different characteristics of the three experimental/commercial products, i.e., color changes and permeability to water vapor to evaluate the treatments’ harmlessness; capillary water absorption and water stone contact angle to evaluate the protection against water ingress; oleophobicity of the treated surfaces and the behavior under staining by acrylic blue-colored spray paint and felt-tip marker to verify the anti-graffiti action. Finally, the properties of the treated stone surfaces were analyzed also after the application of pancreatin, used to simulate bird excreta (guano). The protective coatings were found to promote graffiti removal, reducing also the detrimental effects due to simulated guano. The experimental nano-filled product, in addition, was able to provide outstanding performance but using smaller amounts of product in comparison to commercial systems.

Effects of Deoxynivalenol-Contaminated Diets on Metabolic and Immunological Parameters in Broiler Chickens.

Simple SummaryMycotoxin contamination in feed is a significant problem worldwide because these toxic metabolites can have serious adverse effects on animals, resulting great economic loss. Deoxynivalenol (DON) is the most commonly detected mycotoxin in cereals and therefore in poultry feed. This mycotoxin could adversely affect the health of birds. In this work, broiler chickens were exposed to two different levels of DON (5 and 15 mg/kg feed) for 42 days. The results revealed that broilers fed the high level (15 mg/kg) had DON-3-sulphate (a specific metabolite of DON) deposited in the liver and had reduced blood hematological parameters. The ingestion of the guidance level (5 mg DON/kg fee) affected the immune system parameters in broiler chickens. Both levels did not adversely affect the broiler’s welfare related-parameters.The current study was conducted to examine the effects of deoxynivalenol (DON) at different levels (5 and 15 mg/kg feed) on the metabolism, immune response and welfare parameters of male broiler chickens (Ross 308) at 42 days old. Forty-five 1 day-old broiler chickens were randomly distributed into three different dietary treatments: (1) control, (2) DON-contaminated diet with 5 mg DON/kg of feed (guidance level), and (3) DON-contaminated diet with 15 mg DON/kg of feed. Five replicated cages with three birds each were used for each treatment in a randomized complete block design. The results showed that DON was detected in excreta of birds fed contaminated diets compared with controls. The metabolite DON-3 sulphate (DON-3S) was detected in plasma and excreta in both treated groups, as well as in the liver (but only at 15 mg/kg feed). The increase in the level of DON decreased the hemoglobin concentration (p < 0.001), whereas the erythrocyte counts were only decreased at 15 mg DON/kg feed. No effect of DON on the responses to common vaccines was observed. In plasma, interleukin 8 levels in both contaminated groups were significantly higher than in the control group. The expression of interleukin 6, interleukin 1β and interferon-γ increased in jejunum tissues of broilers fed 5 mg/kg of DON compared with controls. The stress index (heterophil to lymphocyte ratio) was not affected by DON-contaminated diets compared with controls. The plasma corticosterone level was significantly lower in both DON groups compared with controls. In conclusion, DON-3S could be used as a specific biomarker of DON in different biological matrices, while the immune response in broiler chickens is stimulated by the presence of DON at the guidance level, but no adverse effect was observed on physiological stress parameters.

Durability to simulated bird guano of nano-filled oleo/hydrophobic coatings for the protection of stone materials

The conservation and protection of ancient buildings and art-works made of stone materials, that constitute the Cultural Heritage of each Country, are very delicate tasks involving different experts and disciplines. The most common and successful method for protecting the stone-made constructions and art-works consists in applying on their surfaces protective layers of polymers having oleo-hydrophobic character. Polymer materials themselves can undergo degradation if they interact with external agents, thus reducing their protective features. The durability of the protected stones is the subject of many investigations in the last decades, but, among the agents able to severely affect the treated stone substrates outdoor exposed, only little attention has been paid so far to the effects of bird droppings, also known as guano. This work would contribute to fill this gap, assessing the effects due to bird excreta on two kinds of stone (a very porous, Lecce stone, and a more compact, Trani stone) protected with an experimental polymer coating containing SiO2 nanoparticles in comparison with two commercial protective polymer products. Color, surface hydrophobicity, water vapor permeability, and capillary water absorption were evaluated before and after exposure to pancreatin, used to simulate bird droppings. Different behaviors were observed depending on the stone porosity and the nature of the polymer coating. Good performance was obtained using the coatings with nanoparticles.

Synergic effect of simvastatin in combination with amphotericin B against environmental strains of Cryptococcus neoformans from northeastern Brazil: a prospective experimental study.

Statins are used as cholesterol-lowering drugs and may also have direct antimicrobial effects. To evaluate synergic interactions between simvastatin and both amphotericin B and fluconazole, against environmental strains of Cryptococcus neoformans isolated from captive birds' droppings. Experimental study conducted at Federal University of Piauí, Parnaíba, in collaboration with Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil. Statin susceptibility tests of Cryptococcus neoformans samples were performed as prescribed in standards. Interactions of simvastatin with amphotericin and fluconazole were evaluated using the checkerboard microdilution method. Presence of these interactions was quantitatively detected through determining the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI). Isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans were obtained from 30 of the 206 samples of dry bird excreta (14.5%) that were collected from pet shops and houses. Ten isolates were selected for susceptibility tests. All of them were susceptible to amphotericin and fluconazole. All presented minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) > 128 µg/ml and, thus, were resistant in vitro to simvastatin. An in vitro synergic effect was shown through combined testing of amphotericin B and simvastatin, such that six isolates (60%) presented FICI < 0.500. Two isolates showed considerable reductions in MIC, from 1 µg/ml to 0.250 µg/ml. No synergic effect was observed through combining fluconazole and simvastatin. These results demonstrate that simvastatin should be considered to be a therapeutic alternative, capable of potentiating the action of amphotericin B. However, further studies are necessary to clarify the real effect of simvastatin as an antifungal agent.

The Influence of Gray Heron (Ardea cinerea L.) Nesting Places on the Nature of Changes Ongoing in the Ground Litter and Soils of Broad-Leaved Forests in Tula Oblast

The composition of soil, ground litter, and litterfall water extracts was studied for zones affected by gray heron nesting places and for background sites covered by broad-leaved forests in the gray forest soil zone of Tula oblast. It is established that birds’ activities result in an inflow of bird excreta, formation of specific forest ground litters, and increase in the share of large-size tree litter that accumulates in the course of nest building. It is shown that ground litter, litterfall, and upper horizons of the gray forest soil in nesting places feature higher concentrations of macroelements (calcium, potassium, and magnesium), microelements (copper, zinc, and strontium), and anions (NO$$_{3}^{ - }$$, PO$$_{4}^{{3 - }}$$, and Cl−).

Landscape of gene expression variation of natural isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans in response to biologically relevant stresses.

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that at its peak epidemic levels caused an estimated million cases of cryptococcal meningitis per year worldwide. This species can grow in diverse environmental (trees, soil and bird excreta) and host niches (intracellular microenvironments of phagocytes and free-living in host tissues). The genetic basic for adaptation to these different conditions is not well characterized, as most experimental work has relied on a single reference strain of C. neoformans. To identify genes important for yeast infection and disease progression, we profiled the gene expression of seven C. neoformans isolates grown in five representative in vitro environmental and in vivo conditions. We characterized gene expression differences using RNA-Seq (RNA sequencing), comparing clinical and environmental isolates from two of the major lineages of this species, VNI and VNBI. These comparisons highlighted genes showing lineage-specific expression that are enriched in subtelomeric regions and in lineage-specific gene clusters. By contrast, we find few expression differences between clinical and environmental isolates from the same lineage. Gene expression specific to in vivo stages reflects available nutrients and stresses, with an increase in fungal metabolism within macrophages, and an induction of ribosomal and heat-shock gene expression within the subarachnoid space. This study provides the widest view to date of the transcriptome variation of C. neoformans across natural isolates, and provides insights into genes important for in vitro and in vivo growth stages.

First Isolation, Antifungal Susceptibility, and Molecular Characterization of Cryptococcus neoformans from the Environment in Croatia.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of Cryptococcus neoformans species complex isolates from environmental sources in Croatia and to determine their molecular types and antifungal susceptibility. Swab samples of tree hollows and bird excreta in the soil beneath trees were collected. Samples included 472 (92.73%) samples obtained from tree hollows and 37 (7.27%) samples from bird excreta. Four C. neoformans species complex isolates were recovered from tree hollow swabs along the Mediterranean coast, while there were no isolates recovered from bird excreta or from the continental area. Three isolates were identified as molecular types VNI and one as VNIV. All tested antifungals showed high in vitro activity against the four isolates. This is the first report proving the presence of C. neoformans species complex in the environment of Croatia. The results of the study suggest a major risk of exposure for inhabitants living along the Croatian coast and that both VNI and VNIV molecular types can be expected in clinical cases of cryptococcosis. Susceptibility to antifungals confirmed that no resistance should be expected in patients with cryptococcosis at the present time.

Pigeon Presence on PV Modules ARE Largely Random Events

The presence of pigeons on PV modules can negatively affect the output power of a solar renewable energy system. The body of the pigeon itself (and especially the tail) may cause short periods of shading of individual cells, leading to the formation of hotspots. Bird excreta left by the pigeon may cause longer periods of shading, leading to an extended reduction in output power. Some type of intervention may be required to repel pigeons from PV modules, in order to try and maintain the overall efficiency and sustainability of a system. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the reduction in output power of a picosolar system in order to determine if a possible pattern, or routine, exists with regard to the presence of pigeons. A 10 W pico-solar system was installed in a semi-arid region of South Africa that is home to the feral pigeon (Columba livia). A pigeon detection technique was developed and applied over a period of 13 months to determine when and for how long these pigeons rest on top of a PV module (these are referred to as events). Although these events are primarily random in nature, results do indicate that feral pigeon presence is lowest on a Wednesday during the week and in the summer periods of January to March during a calendar year. They tend to spend, on average, 118 seconds perched on top a PV module, where their tail and droppings cause the most significant impact in terms of interrupting the direct beam radiation from the sun for an individual cell. It is recommended to use these results in formulating an appropriate intervention that may be used as a scare tactic to repel feral pigeons away from PV modules.